When People Find No Place for Repentance
by Terry W. Benton If grace so freely covers all sin without repentance, why was Paul so concerned that he warned night and day with tears about people in the church teaching false doctrine? I have a hard time reading Paul’s warnings to Timothy and come away with the modern lackadaisical attitudes toward sin and…
Read MoreI have been going to your website for years
Question: I have been going to your website for years and now my oldest son has found it and has let several people know about this site. It is very much appreciated. Answer: I am glad to hear that you’ve found the site useful.
Read MoreRestore Such a One
by H. E. Phillips Those who have very little concern for the lost will not make much effort to restore them to the Lord. Those who love the lost and are concerned about their eternal destiny will work and pray for the salvation of their souls. The difference between these two groups is the difference…
Read MoreCan a man be a deacon in the church if he doesn’t have children?
Question: I have a question I would very much like an answer to: Can a man be a deacon in the church if he doesn’t have children? Answer: “Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households” (I Timothy 3:12). “Must” lays down a requirement that…
Read MoreSince I blamed God for my miserable childhood and left God, is it possible to return and be saved?
Question: I’ve had a lot of anger toward God. When I was a child I was molested by a family member who lived in our house. My father was an alcoholic (he got help when I was in high school) who would abuse my mother, threaten to kill her and try to kill my mother…
Read MoreReally appreciate the excellent content of your website
Question: Thanks. I’m an elder at the Mountain View Church of Christ in Cumming, Georgia. Really appreciate the excellent content of your website. Answer: I always appreciate the encouragement.
Read MorePeople of Thankfulness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/PeopleOfThankfulness.mp3 by Brett Bowen
Read MorePersecution (Hausner)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Persecution.mp3 by Austin Hausner
Read MoreHow can I wait three years to get married?
Question: I have been dating my boyfriend for two and a half years now. We are both Christians and both want and work toward a marriage. We believe sex belongs in a marriage and want to keep it like this until we marry. I’ve come to a point where I want to get married because…
Read MoreWhat if God tells you to do something horrible, do you do it?
Question: Hello, Often when I hear religious people talk about this or that person in the Bible doing something that God asked, the phrase “Because God said so” is emphasized. It is also talked about how there can be no morality without God, and questions like “If killing you made my life better, why shouldn’t…
Read MoreIs it wrong to avoid doing something because I don’t want to be embarrassed?
Question: Hello, I have a question. Is not wanting to be embarrassed a sin? Or is fearing what people would think of you a sin? I really think I had some form of OCD years back that I am now trying to fully rid out of my life. I had this habit of picking up…
Read MoreWhy was Saul’s name changed to Paul?
Question: Why was Saul’s name changed to Paul? Answer: We aren’t told. As Saul began teaching among the Gentiles, he switched his name from Saul to Paul. The transition is noted in Acts 13:9. Some speculate that Paul wanted to disassociate himself from his past when he persecuted the church. But this would only be…
Read MoreHow do I stop committing fornication? (2)
Question: Good afternoon sir, I am a 26-year-old guy. Please, I have been having challenges with stopping fornication. Even after hearing the word, I still find myself misbehaving and this happens when I am really determined to set my heart spiritually before God. Sir, I also really want a true destined wife for myself, someone…
Read MoreSinging with Understanding
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/SingingWithUnderstanding.mp3 by Alex Hamilton
Read MoreIs the Bible mathematically wrong in I Kings 7:23?
Question: Is the Bible mathematically wrong in I Kings 7:23? If the diameter of the laver is 10 cubits, then shouldn’t the circumference be 31 cubits? Answer: “And he made the Sea of cast bronze, ten cubits from one brim to the other; it was completely round. Its height was five cubits, and a line…
Read MoreI’ve been so lonely that I’ve gotten involved in pornography. How do I get back on track?
Question: Thank you for your web site. I feel quite happy to read such great answers and feel inspired to follow Jesus Christ in the right way. For the past few months, I have been feeling very lonely and depressed despite being surrounded by wonderful friends. I have started to withdraw from people and question…
Read MoreHow do you stop being lazy?
Question: I know that being lazy in general is a sin, but it’s really hard to stop. I do well and then I backtrack. I even stopped my gluttony issues when it comes to food, but this is something I’m struggling with. Any help? Answer: Laziness is an attitude of wanting to get by with…
Read MoreShouldn’t my wife tell me who she had her affair with?
Question: My wife had an affair for about a month that she confessed to. I was in the hospital with a stroke for several weeks and she spent several nights at this person’s house. Although she has admitted to the affair she refuses to tell me with who. She says she is not telling me…
Read MoreAm I wrong to be unhappy that my wife continues to visit the grave of her former boyfriend?
Question: My wife often visits the grave site of her former boyfriend who she dated for around 10 years. He was also very close with my in-laws. Initially, I wasn’t opposed to it for we weren’t married. However, since we are now married I expressed my displeasure with this matter and also the fact that…
Read MoreHow do I earn God’s love back?
Question: Dear Jeff, I find myself asking you questions in the wee hours of the morning. I get so conflicted with questions and loneliness that I don’t know where else to turn. But anyway, my question is: How do I earn God’s love back? I’ll give context first before continuing. Lately, I’ve been putting God…
Read MoreJesus Ate with Publicans and Sinners
by Terry Wane Benton There is no doubt that Jesus was among publicans and sinners and ate with them. What was He doing? Was he gambling with them? Was He smoking with them? Drinking intoxicating drinks with them? Cursing and laughing at dirty jokes? Was He being complicit with them as they sinned more? One…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between sin, iniquity, and abomination?
Question: Is there any difference between sin and iniquity, and is there any difference between sin and abomination? Answer: “Sin” generally translates the Greek word harmartia. It means to err, to miss the mark or the goal. Harmartia and its related forms are the most general word describing that which is sin. In Hebrew, the word is chatta’ah, which…
Read MoreIs a person responsible for the lies an aunt may have made when she was three?
Question: Hi, A person immigrated to this country over thirty years ago as a child (age 3). The aunt of the person might have told immigration that the child was her natural child instead of revealing that the child had been adopted. Is the child responsible to God for this matter or is it just…
Read MoreDo you accept that there are more than 400,000 mistakes in the Bible?
Question: I am thinking of going to this church, but I would like to know: do the churches of Christ accept that there are more than 400,000 mistakes in the documents and books of the Bible? Answer: If there are that many mistakes, then how do these people know they are mistakes? In other words, what…
Read MoreAm I married because I did sexual acts with my girlfriend?
Question: I am 21 years old. I have been dating a girl my same age for about 6 months. We are both baptized Christians but have made serious mistakes. About a month ago, she gave me a hand-job. This happened three times but after the third time, I felt awful about it and have told…
Read MoreWhat if someone is allergic to an element of the Lord’s Supper?
Question: How do people with severe allergies take communion? If someone has a severe allergy to gluten or flour or something else that is needed to make the bread, what are they supposed to do? Can they bring their own tapioca wafer or are they merely doomed to Hell? What about the fruit of the…
Read MoreAre the Books of Mormonism from God?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In the days of Moses, God told His people that prophets would come to tell them what He wanted His people to do. Yet, how would the people know that a person who claimed to be from God really was from God? God pointed out two straight-forward tests: “If there arises…
Read MoreWhat is the doctrine of laying on of hands?
Question: This is my third year after being added to the body. Somehow, I often find myself in intense discussions with friends and relatives regarding certain areas of belief. Many times I can hold my own, but when it comes to laying on of hands, I’m not certain how to discuss this. When I read…
Read MoreShould I marry the woman I committed adultery with as a second wife?
Question: Dear Minister, I am a young man married to one wife for the last four years. My wife is now five months pregnant. Unfortunately, I committed adultery with another young woman and she is one month pregnant. We have made it a secret not to tell my wife until when the child is born…
Read MoreIs it scriptural for a congregation to have men in their twenties as treasurers?
Question: Hi there, Our congregation has just appointed two men in their mid-twenties as our treasurers. Is this scriptural? I always thought it should be older men. Our congregation also doesn’t have elders or deacons. Answer: Typically the physical needs of a congregation are handled by deacons, but the congregation where you are doesn’t have…
Read MoreIs it wrong to want to smash pumpkins in protest of Halloween?
Question: This one was really on my mind, and I was reminded of a Bible verse: “Be angry and sin not.” I’m not sure where it came from, but I remember hearing it from another brother. The thing is that I see all these costumes. You have the girl costumes which are skimpy and you…
Read MoreHow do you do it all?
Question: This is a vast site, Jeff. I still think it’s crazy how you’re a preacher and yet you answer most of these questions. How do you do it all? Do you like, take turns answering questions, or do you devote an entire day answering things? Whatever you do I’m all for it. I want…
Read MoreDoes a person in an adulterous marriage have to get divorced first before he can be baptized?
Question: The following scenario has been presented to me by another person for my thoughts and guidance on it: I have a tough situation. A man I’ve known most of my life was baptized the other day. This man was in adultery. The church went ahead and baptized him. I don’t know all the details…
Read MoreAll Christians Are Priests
by David J. Riggs from Catholic Teaching Examined A study of the New Testament reveals that all Christians are priests. Peter said, “You too are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit, into a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:5; The New Catholic Translation). Thus, all Christians…
Read MoreAddiction
by William C. Sexton The word addiction is one we usually associate with drugs. An “addict” is defined as “one who has a confirmed habit, as the overuse of drugs…” (Webster’s). If we look, however, we can see that one can be addicted to almost anything; that is, to have a “confirmed habit.” I suggest…
Read MoreWhat does “Till my raptured soul shall find” mean?
Question: In the song, “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”, what does “Till my raptured soul shall find” mean? Answer: “In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river.” “Rapture” is an older English word for “a feeling of intense pleasure or joy.” Therefore,…
Read MoreDoes Romans 14 mean homosexuals should be accepted without passing judgment?
Question: I am an agnostic atheist, and I am interested in your response to my question: If you believe homosexuality is unnatural, why does your God allow it? This verse supports my opinion: Romans 14:1-4, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes…
Read MoreHow do I help a girl who has abusive parents?
Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton! I’ve written to you before and I greatly appreciate your site, which I visit almost daily. I know you’re busy, so I’ll try to keep this somewhat brief (I am greatly sorry for the length). I’m also going to try and present an objective account, though it is from my perspective,…
Read MorePunished in Jesus’ presence or away from his presence?
Question: One of the seeming “contradictions” I want to give an answer to is found in these two Scriptures: “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thessalonians 1:9). “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone…
Read MoreOn Using the Bible to Prove the Bible
by Doy Moyer via Mind Your Faith The charge is sometimes made against biblical apologists that they just use the Bible to prove the Bible. The implication, of course, is that this is circular reasoning and, therefore, erroneous. They want other sources outside the Bible that verify it, not the Bible itself. Once they set the…
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